Elephant Kind have returned with new single “Love As”, out today via Mola Records. Hailing from Jakarta, Indonesia but now based in London, Elephant Kind is an alt-pop trio that has made huge waves across Southeast Asia over the last decade, before moving over to the UK earlier this year to immerse themselves in a different environment while harnessing a new creative vision. Fans can listen to “Love As” here: rockstar.bfan.link/love-as
The band initiated this new chapter of their career with previous single “Rockstar”, an immersive and resonant track released at the tail end of 2022 that saw support from the likes of NME, DIY and Dork, as well as a multitude of cultural tastemakers. Now, they are showcasing the beginning of what promises to be a huge 2023 with new single “Love As”.
“‘Love As’ is the first song we’ve written together as a band,” explains Elephant Kind. “It’s an intense synth and guitar based track, exploring the idea that love in the truest sense of the word is a verb. It takes action and demonstration for the word to be used properly as being said and repeated in the chorus.”
Pulsating synths instantly immerse the listener in the track before a bombastic, almost 80’s style beat kicks things into motion. Bam Mastro’s soothing vocals meander around layers of otherworldly instrumentation, creating a truly glorious wall of sound that effortlessly cements Elephant Kind’s remarkable upward trajectory.
Every band has global ambition, but few lack the desire to move 7000 miles across the world to realise it. 2022 saw Elephant Kind move from Indonesia to London to explore their next chapter as a band, starting a new era on the other side of the globe.
“This is the dream of every Indonesian artist, probably most artists in the world, like everyone that we love moved to London at some point and writing here, it means a lot to us.” says Mastro, frontman and founder of the group.
Elephant Kind was formed in Mastro’s bedroom in Perth, Australia over a decade ago, acting as an outlet to express himself creatively, a purely introspective project that was more for himself than anyone else before moving to Indonesia. Now, the band is a three piece with four projects to their name, hundreds of thousands of monthly listeners across the globe and a firmly cemented place as one of Indonesia’s most beloved alternative outfits. Their fresh take on alternative indie has earned them critical recognition and acclaim both at home and globally, constantly building year on year as their worldwide ambition comes into fruition.
In Indonesia, the band have won big at awards ceremonies including The Indonesian Cutting Edge Music Awards and amassed a wealth of nominations at The AMI’s and The Indonesia’s Choice Awards. Their success at home also saw some of the most culturally impactful brands approach the band for collaborations, working with the likes of Gucci, Dior, Vans and Dr. Martens to name a few.
Kevin Septanto and Bayu Adisapoetra make up the trio with Mastro, working together to create the genre-straddling Elephant Kind sound, bringing together a multitude of inspirations and styles to craft something remarkably unique. With this new dynamic comes a new writing style, with full band involvement rather than a solo endeavour. The band’s forthcoming project is undoubtedly the start of a new era, taking on board a fresh creative process to create arguably their most forward thinking work to date.
“This is the first record where I let go of a lot of my ego, I suppose,” says Mastro, “And I just kind of let everyone join with ideas this time. That was difficult at first as it’s hard listening to other people, but Bayu and Kevin came in with new, exciting things, and it was refreshing just knowing that our music continues to evolve when we write music together.“
“When we were younger we never saw an Indonesian band have international success, so the dream has always been there for us to break that mould,” says Bayu Adisapoetra on their decision to move abroad. “I think the best part of being successful in Indonesia is that by nature, you’re able to sustain a career longer than everywhere else in the world. If you make it there, they’re gonna love you for a very long time.“
When it comes to live, this year will see Elephant Kind introduced to a totally new audience, with a whole new country of fans to engage with. As one of Indonesia’s definitive alternative outfits they’re also a go-to support for huge international talent, touring with the likes of The XX and Franz Ferdinand. This huge presence in Southeast Asia is now starting to translate globally with the band’s move to the UK, something that ignites a fire in Elephant Kind and will make the next twelve months so exciting.
Stream “Love As” here: rockstar.bfan.link/love-as